By 27 minutes behind the intended schedule, NW200 Superbike first qualifying sprung into fruition at 10:57 AM.
Fastest post opening timed laps was Hager PBM Ducati’s Glenn Irwin, lapping just a touch under 4 minutes 27 seconds.
Irwin’s next timed saw him lap below the 4:23 seconds barrier, (4.22.781).
Fifteen minutes into Q1 the top six order was Irwin, Davey Todd, Peter Hickman, Dean Harrison, Adam McLean, James Hillier.
As the session progressed, Milwaukee BMW’s Todd got to within 1.712 of Irwin’s best time nudging into the low 4-minute 23 seconds lap times.
Honda Racing’s Harrison jumped up to P3, followed by Michael Dunlop having his first competitive outing on the MasterMac Honda by Hawk Racing Superbike.
Towards the session’s end, National Superstock 1000 Championship leader Todd overhauled Irwin, setting the first sub 4:20 seconds lap time of this year’s NW200.
Todd’s lap time (4:19.910) placed him 0.440 quicker than eight times successive SBK race winner Irwin.
The race for provisional pole intensified further with Irwin setting a last gasp, times sheet topping time of 4:18.553 seconds, an unofficial outright lap record!
Dunlop (4.22.814), Harrison (4.25.219) swapped positions, going onto finish respectively third, fifth quickest behind Todd, Irwin.
World’s fastest road racer Hickman, despite nursing a hand injury from misfortunes at the BSB Oulton Park meeting, slotted in between Dunlop and Harrison.
Ian Hutchinson finished sixth quickest, John McGuinness MBE was seventh fastest as WTF Racing’s Hillier, 2022 Macau Grand Prix winner Erno Kostamo, Conor Cummins completed the SBK Q1 top ten.
In total 53 riders set representative lap times with speediest newcomer honours going to Marcus ‘Spartacus’ Simpson.
Photo credit: Derek Wilson
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
